A Bad Day

[VernLPoole]

I was using a 3-point hitch mounted chipper on my Ford 1710 yesterday, and when I got back on the tractor to move to the next pile, I saw that the oil pressure warning light was on. I shut it off and checked the oil: plenty on the dipstick. Hoping it was just a bad sending unit, I removed it and cobbled a way to measure the oil pressure... Nothing, zero, zilch. Any thoughts as to likely failure mode? I believe the oil pump is on the front of the block, driven by camshaft gear? Anyone have experience with how big a job it is to get at it, or any thoughts about things to try/check before going down that dark road?

 

[HamishMacCheap]

If there is oil on the dipstick but no oil pressure, my uneducated guess is the oil pump failed. I don't know enough to offer valuable mechanical advice but check the oil filter in hopes it has failed or the intake or supply side plumbing is somehow clogged.

Good luck, I wish I could help.

 

[flyerdan]

A quick look at a manual indicates that it is indeed driven off the cam, possibly the connection holding the driven gear to the pump shaft has loosened,where the cam spins the gear but not the pump. Another option could be that the pickup tube from the sump came loose, I'd not suspect the bypass valve as that should show at least some pressure on a gauge.
Above is based on the premise that it wasn't making any horrible, self-destructing noise, which would indicate catastrophic failure. Where to start is a toss-up, the pickup tube in the sump would probably be easiest to check, but least likely to be the cause.

 

[VernLPoole]

I'm considering removing the oil pan first, to see if the intake tube fell off, or as you suggest, got plugged somehow... Can't think of anything else to try.

A quick look at a manual indicates that it is indeed driven off the cam, possibly the connection holding the driven gear to the pump shaft has loosened,where the cam spins the gear but not the pump. Another option could be that the pickup tube from the sump came loose, I'd not suspect the bypass valve as that should show at least some pressure on a gauge.
Above is based on the premise that it wasn't making any horrible, self-destructing noise, which would indicate catastrophic failure. Where to start is a toss-up, the pickup tube in the sump would probably be easiest to check, but least likely to be the cause.

No horrible noise, so that's good. I guess I'll start by removing the front drive shaft and the oil pan to check the pickup tube, but I'm not terribly optimistic. Seems like the next steps will involve removing the whole front end of the tractor, so the drive shaft would be the least of my worries.

 

[big bubba]

the good news is that it seems you caught it in time w/o damaging the engine. keep the forum informed as you proceed. is removing the ft end required to look at the oil pump drive gears, etc? best on that

 

[dodge man]

The cam drive I know can wear out/break. The pickup tube could be plugged. I’d say pulling the pan is a good start.

 

[Williy]

Many many years ago my grandfather wasn't getting any oil
pressure on his engine and my dad being a mech they pulled
the pump off the cam and found that the arm had worn down
so no pumping action grandfather took it apart and heated the
arm up in the forge and aflated it and expanded the metal to
make contact with the cam and it worked.

willy

 

[boomer1025]

while you got the oil pan off check the rod and main bearings.

 

[VernLPoole]

the good news is that it seems you caught it in time w/o damaging the engine. keep the forum informed as you proceed. is removing the ft end required to look at the oil pump drive gears, etc? best on that

I'll start by taking the loader frame and the "hood" off, and keep going till I feel like I have enough room to work. I'm guessing it will end up being easier to just pull the radiator too, at that point.

 

[VernLPoole]

Many many years ago my grandfather wasn't getting any oil
pressure on his engine and my dad being a mech they pulled
the pump off the cam and found that the arm had worn down
so no pumping action grandfather took it apart and heated the
arm up in the forge and aflated it and expanded the metal to
make contact with the cam and it worked.

willy

Your grandfather sounds like the Real Deal!

 

[arrow]

I'm considering removing the oil pan first, to see if the intake tube fell off, or as you suggest, got plugged somehow... Can't think of anything else to try.

No horrible noise, so that's good. I guess I'll start by removing the front drive shaft and the oil pan to check the pickup tube, but I'm not terribly optimistic. Seems like the next steps will involve removing the whole front end of the tractor, so the drive shaft would be the least of my worries.

Id start with the oil pressure switch.unless that’s what you’re calling the sending unit.

 

[Williy]

The problem lies with the pump or related to the pump.
Check all plumbing related to the pump if the tubing is
clear and the pickup tubing is not disconnected from the
pump then its the pump that needs replacing.

willy

 

[gengine]

Chevy had a re-occurring problem where the o-ring seal between the pickup strainer and the pump failed. I have that issue right now. For some reason, your pump is either not picking up oil, or not able to produce the pressure required. Without knowledge of your unit, my gut tells me to pull the pan and inspect, starting at the pickup tube and going up from there without any other symptoms presenting themselves, such as oil in the coolant, knocking, squealing, etc.

 

[VernLPoole]

Found the problem! Sure enough, it was the pin that holds the driven shaft to the pump "vane" (if that's the right word) which had sheared, so the shaft turned but the pump did not. I could probably just replace the pin, but if a whole new pump is not too pricey, I'll replace the whole thing in case there was any unseen damage from the end of the pin grinding around in the pump before it sheared off.
Thanks All, for the advice and encouragement! Pulling the front off wasn't too bad, other than the one lone stud that went through the backing plate to a nut that was very hidden behind the hydraulic pump!

 

[arrow]

Found the problem! Sure enough, it was the pin that holds the driven shaft to the pump "vane" (if that's the right word) which had sheared, so the shaft turned but the pump did not. I could probably just replace the pin, but if a whole new pump is not too pricey, I'll replace the whole thing in case there was any unseen damage from the end of the pin grinding around in the pump before it sheared off.
Thanks All, for the advice and encouragement! Pulling the front off wasn't too bad, other than the one lone stud that went through the backing plate to a nut that was very hidden behind the hydraulic pump!

One of the most valuable things a poster can do is come back to explain the solution.
Thanks for that!